2022 Jeep Renegade (red) Edition 4x4 on 2040-cars

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NHTSA upgrading Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango headliner fire probe

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into headliner fires experienced by a small number of Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango owners has been upgraded to an engineering analysis, the step before the initiation of a recall. In August last year the investigation began with 146,000 Grand Cherokees from 2012 after three complaints were received, but a report on Edmunds says it has been expanded to include 593,299 vehicles covering the 2011-2013 model years for the Jeep and the Dodge Durango, which uses the same headliner assembly, because of possibly 52 incidents of fire.
In some of those incidents drivers have reported a burning odor, smoke or open flames that were contained to the headliner or migrated to another area of the passenger compartment. The culprit has apparently been found: NHTSA blaming an electrical short in the sun visor vanity light wiring, which is routed under the headliner and held in place by three screws. Chrysler began its own probe into the issue when it was first reported and is still looking into the situation while, "fully supporting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's investigation."

2014 Easter Jeep Safari kicks off with six concepts

The 2014 Easter Jeep Safari is set to begin this weekend in Moab, Utah, and while it's sure to be a blast for Jeep enthusiasts from all corners of the world, we're looking forward to the wild, off-road ready concepts that Jeep will be bringing to the red rocks. As you can see in our handy headline, there are six such vehicles in total, each of which sports a variety of tweaks and custom bits.
Unlike in years past, where Jeep graced us with some outrageous concepts like the Mighty FC or J-12, this year's vehicles are a bit more restrained and a bit more buildable by enthusiasts. That's not by accident, officials tell us. They wanted to put this year's focus on attainable vehicles and accessories from Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts that existing owners can use to augment their own vehicles. So let's get to it.
We'll start with the Wranglers first. There are three concepts of the jeepiest of Jeep coming to Moab - the Level Red, Maximum Performance and Mojo. The Level Red and the Mojo (seen above) are similar from a suspension and engine standpoint. Both boast a two-inch Jeep Performance Parts lift kit, which officials tell us is coming to market in the next few months. There are a pair of Dana 44 crate axles on both the front and rear, while a Jeep Performance Parts Rock-Trac transfer case has been fitted. The 3.6-liter V6 engines on both Jeeps can breathe a bit easier thanks to a new cold-air intake and exhaust system.

Wards names its 2015 10 Best Interiors list

Wards Automotive has named the winners of its 10 Best Interior awards, covering a wide but affordable array of vehicles. Where last year's list contained two six-figure vehicles, including the $372,800 Rolls-Royce Wraith, this year's is, well, a whole lot more reasonable. The publication lists the Mercedes-Benz C400 at $65,000 (which seems off), making it the most expensive vehicle here. That said, we'd argue that the entire C-Class line deserves to make this year's list, owing to its varied and high-quality selection of materials. The other vehicle to break the $60,000 mark, meanwhile, is the $60,675 Ford F-150 King Ranch, which has 327,000 pounds of leather lining its interior. Only one other German car, the BMW i3, and one other pickup truck, the GMC Canyon, managed to make this year's list. Here's the full list of this year's winners: 2014 BMW i3 ($52,550) 2015 Chrysler 300C Platinum ($51,175) 2015 Ford F-150 King Ranch ($60,675) 2015 GMC Canyon SLT ($40,465) 2015 Honda Fit EX-L ($21,590) 2015 Jeep Renegade Limited ($33,205) 2015 Kia Sedona SXL ($43,295) 2016 Mazda6 Grand Touring ($33,395) 2015 Mercedes C400 ($65,000) 2015 Nissan Murano SL ($41,905) See what we mean about the mainstream vehicles? Not only is there a distinct lack of luxury brands, it's the price of some of the vehicles that surprise. The Honda Fit, Jeep Renegade and Mazda6 are very reasonably priced, especially when you compare Wards price with the starting price. The Renegade Limited starts at less than $25,000, the Mazda at less than $22K and the Fit at under $16,000. Head over to Wards for a more detailed explanation of why each vehicle won. Featured Gallery 2015 Ward's Automotive 10 Best Interiors View 10 Photos News Source: Wards Automotive BMW Chrysler Ford GMC Honda Jeep Kia Mazda Mercedes-Benz Nissan Truck Crossover Hatchback Sedan nissan murano gmc canyon Interior jeep renegade WardsAuto kia sedona wards 10 best interiors mercedes c400